Music Therapy Awareness Week Planned February 13-17 at SWOSU

02.09.2012

The Southwestern Oklahoma State University Music Therapy Awareness Week 2012, organized by the SWOSU Music Therapy Student Association (SWOSU-MTSA), will be celebrated during the week of February 13-17 with the highlight of the celebration being the 5th annual Music Therapy Awareness Expo on Wednesday, February 15, from 4-5 p.m. in the Memorial Student Center Ballroom.

The event will be co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Music Therapists. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.

Dr. ChihChen Sophia Lee, MT-BC, director of the music therapy program at SWOSU, said the keynote speakers are Rachel West Nowels, MT-BC, Jennifer Schafer, MT-BC, and Brooke Roulet, all from the Children’s Center of Bethany and graduates of the SWOSU music therapy program, will talk on the application of Music Therapy in Pediatric and Adolescent Medical Practices and the journey of Oklahoma State Legislation on Music Therapy License. Poster presentations by SWOSU music therapy students in the field studies will focus on the clinical applications of music therapy in early intervention, pediatric medicine & adolescent acute physical rehabilitation, school-age children with special needs, and geriatrics.

Participants will also experience the power of music therapy via Drum Circle, an active music making technique of music therapy, instructed by SWOSU music therapy faculty member Yu-Chin Anthea Lin, MM, MT-BC and facilitated by SWOSU music therapy students.

"This is a wonderful hands-on event especially for high school students interested in pursuing music therapy as a career, a blooming profession in Oklahoma,” Lee said.

Lee said learning that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords also benefits from the accelerating power of music therapy in her intensive physical and speech rehabilitation at the Institute of Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) just helps efforts in promoting the awareness to music therapy to improve the quality of life. Rep. Harold Wright of Weatherford recently authored a resolution proclaiming February-March as Oklahoma Music Therapy Months of 2012. And, Lee said music therapists will continue to follow House Bill 1462 and the Music Therapy Practice Act.

There are additional events planned on the SWOSU campus in Weatherford each day to raise the awareness of the community to music therapy. There will be a booth with flyers about facts of music therapy and a Valentine’s themed bake sale at the SWOSU Memorial Union on Monday and Tuesday. Outdoor ball games and activities at the SWOSU Volleyball Court, pending on weather conditions, will take place on Thursday. The inclement weather plan will include a Valentine’s music program at a nursing home or assisted living center in Weatherford. The Open Mic at the Cup is scheduled from 7-9 p.m. on Friday at The Cup in downtown Weatherford.

SWOSU has the only music therapy program in the state of Oklahoma and is accredited by the National Association of School of Music and American Music Therapy Association. SWOSU graduates since 2002 have a 100% passing rate on the National Board Certification Exam for Music Therapists.

For additional information about the expo and other events of the SWOSU Music Therapy Awareness Week, contact Lee at (580) 774-3218.